While movies and television allow the beloved characters from literature to come alive and flourish if put into the hands of the right actors, writers, directors, and producers; the opposite is true if the wrong sort of people get their hands on our favorite stories. Ever since the advent of motion pictures, there has been a heated debate. Is the book or the movie better? The following books have been made into motion pictures that are currently available in theaters. I'll let you decide which is better, but you'll have to read the books to make your choice.
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Middle School: the Worst Years of My Life" is a series of juvenile books by the ever-popular James Patterson (Alex Cross novels). Rafe Katchadorian has enough problems at home without having to worry about the oppressive rules laid down by the principal of his middle school. With the help and encouragement of his best friend, Leonardo the Silent, Rafe has decided it will be his mission to break as many of the school rules as he can. The two have even made a game of it: Chewing gum in class, 5,000 points! Running in the hallway, 10,000 points! Pull the fire alarm, 50,000 points! When all of this rule-breaking begins to catch up with him, Rafe must decide whether or not he can face up to the rules, the bullies, and what is really bothering him.
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Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children" is the first book in a Young Adult series by Ransom Riggs. Haunting photographs help tell the story of sixteen-year-old Jacob who has suffered a terrible tragedy. His beloved grandfather was attacked and Jacob finds him barely alive. With his dying breath, his grandfather compels him to seek out the orphanage where he spent his childhood. Jacob manages to convince his parents to let him go, but what he finds there he doesn't fully understand. As he explores the rooms and hallways, Jacob comes to believe that these children may have been quarantined on this island because of their peculiar abilities; and even, perhaps, because they were dangerous. Local history says that the children were killed when the Nazis dropped a bomb on the house, but what Jacob finds leads him to think otherwise. Are the peculiars still alive? You'll have to read it to find out!
Finally, for the adults, we have "
The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins. Rachel's life now is full of monotony. She takes the same train everyday with the same people who have the same conversations. Her only bit of respite is the young couple she sees having breakfast every morning--she calls them Jess and Jason. They remind her of how her life used to be before her divorce. One morning however, she witnesses something shocking. It is only a split second before the train moves on. Rachel doesn't know what to do, but she goes to the authorities anyway. Soon, the authorities begin to question her sanity as well as her motives while Rachel becomes more and more entangled in the lives of those involved. Has she done more harm than good? You decide.
Spooked Yet?!
Another Summer Library Program season has come to an end. We started off with a fantastic kickoff party featuring Magic Man Dorian LaChance.
George Lucas : A Life by Brian Jay Jones
I recently spent some "brrrr-y" days watching movies at my house. Two of my recent favorites were Despicable Me and The Lottery Ticket. Despicable Me stars Steve Carell and is a wonderful story about a villain named Cru who is trying to pull off the greatest "steal" ever by stealing the moon. He and his thousands of adorable minions (trust me, you'll think they are cute too) invent gadgets and steal things in their attempt to make Cru (voiced by Steve Carell) the "World's Greatest Villian." While on this journey Cru ends up adopting three orphaned girls, and the way they wrap Cru around their fingers is one of sweetest things I have ever seen. This movie is rated PG (Rude Humor and Mild Action) and is a great family movie night pick. 
from the local neighborhood wins the lottery. Kevin Carson (played by Bow Wow) buys a lottery ticket on a whim and ends up winning $370 million--the bad news is that the lottery office is closed for the long July 4th weekend and Kevin must figure out how to keep a lid on his good fortune and survive the three-day weekend. This movie is full of twists and turns and very funny scenes, and the viewer discovers, with Kevin, the "good, the bad and the ugly" in his friends. There is a brilliant cast in this film (Brandon T. Jackson, Naturi Naughton, Loretta Divine, Ice Cube, Bill Bellamy, T-Pain, Ketih David, Terry Crews, and Mike Epps) and it is truly a great experience to watch it. The movie is rated PG-13 (Sexual content, Language including a Drug Reference, Some Violence and Brief Underage Drinking) and could be a great choice for a couples movie night.
ry movie in the "Best Picture" category before the big awards night. I am really NOT sure where this year has gone, but I was only able to watch a few of the nominated movies this year before the awards ceremony. If you're in the same boat as me, don't worry! The Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library is a great place to visit to check out Oscar nominees and past winners. We are blessed to have a wonderful DVD collection on our first floor, and if you are unable to find the movie you are looking for, you can place a "reserve" on the item by logging into your 
library account from one of our catalog-accessible computers or by asking a library staff member for help! I recently watched The Hurt Locker (this year's "Best Picture Winner") and Up In the Air (one of this year's "Best Picture Nominees.") The library's goal is to purchase DVD's as soon as they are released, so keep checking the library's catalog if you are looking for a particular item. Remember that your library staff is available to help you find the perfect movie for your viewing enjoyment!
I recently watched "Slumdog Millionaire" and though it was not a Bollywood film, the wonderful dance sequence at the end reminded of why I like Bollywood films. In a nutshell, they are FUN to watch! Although our library does not currently own "Slumdog Millionaire," we have other movies filmed in India that are sure to please your taste for a piece of Bollywood. This weekend I checked out the DVD Marigold and watched it for the second time. It is a really nice film, filled with singing, dancing, comedy, romance and a beautiful setting (did I mention that the costumes in the film are wonderful, too?) The basic story is that Marigold Lexton (played by Ali Larter - "Nikki, etc." for all of you Heroes television fans) is a B-list actress who is stranded and broke in Goa, India after the financing is pulled on the low-budget, last-chance film she was scheduled to make. 
Trying to pay for a plane ticket home, she catches the eye of the Indian Director of a "Bollywood" film and finagles her way into a role. Thus commences a madcap adventure as Marigold tries to perform in a musical, and is irresistibly pulled into a romance with a famed choreographer. This film is PG-13, but I think it is suitable for family viewing. You might also be interested in checking out A Passage to India, another great DVD (it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards) which delves into the culture of India.
